HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 202
(By Mr. Speaker, (Mr. Thompson) and
Delegates Morgan, Sobonya and Craig)
Memorializing the life of the Honorable David Martin Baker, former
member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former
Presiding Judge of the West Virginia Court of Claims, civic
leader and distinguished West Virginian.
Whereas, David Martin Baker was born in Clarksburg, Harrison
County, on October 11, 1923, the son of the late Nathan R. Baker
and Edna Brown Baker; and
Whereas, David Martin Baker graduated from West Virginia
University with undergraduate and law degrees, and he practiced law
in Huntington for 60 years. He was a veteran of World War II,
serving in the United States Army Air Forces (1943-46); and
Whereas, David Martin Baker was active in civic affairs,
serving two years on the Huntington City Council (1951-52) and four
years in the West Virginia House of Delegates (1953-1954 and
1957-1958). He also served as special legislative council to
Governor Cecil Underwood (1959-1960), spent 12 years on the West
Virginia State Aeronautics Commission (1970-82) and 15 years as
Judge of the West Virginia Court of Claims (1990-2005); and
Whereas, David Martin Baker was a member of the Cabell County
Bar Association (President 1973-74), Fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association (President 1986-88),
West Virginia State Bar, West Virginia Bar Association, American
Legion Post 16, Disabled American Veterans Post 2, BPOE Lodge 313
and the B'Nai Sholom Congregation; and
Whereas, Sadly, David Martin Baker passed away on April 27,
2010, leaving behind a rich legacy of dedication and commitment to
his family, community and state; and
Whereas, David Martin Baker was predeceased by his wife of 61
years, Janet R. Baker, who died October 25, 2009; and he is
survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John D. and Phyllis Baker of
Pleasant Hill, California; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan B.
and Keith Derrington of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Emily Baker and
Tom Heil of Alexandria, Virginia; and five grandchildren, Jennifer
Baker, Clark Derrington, Eli Derrington, Zachary Baker-Heil and
Jacob Baker-Heil; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the members of this body hereby express their profound
sadness at the passing of one of their own, the Honorable David
Martin Baker, former member of the West Virginia House of
Delegates, former Presiding Judge of the West Virginia Court of
Claims, civic leader and distinguished West Virginian; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House hereby memorializes the life
of the Honorable David Martin Baker, a good and decent man whose
unique abilities touched the lives of many West Virginians; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to David Martin Baker's
son, John, his daughters, Susan and Emily, and to the Clerk of the
West Virginia Court of Claims.